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RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ASH B URTON. -To-day,

[Bofore His Worship the Mayor and Mr R. Alcorn, J.P.] Larceny of Underclothing; —Thomas Jones, a shabby-looking man, was charged with the larceny of five pairs of drawers, of the value of 28s 9d, from Everett Bros. ’ shop in Havelock street. Accused, in answer to the charge, said that he knew

nothing whatever about the matter.— Constable Robert Neil said that he was on duty on Saturday night in town, in plain clothes. Saw accused about a quarter to nine o’clock, and in consequence of a complaint made, arrested him at the Somerset Hotel. In answer to the charge, accused said, “ Where is the shop ?" and witness took him to it. Saw an assistant there, and accused asked “ What does he (the assistant) say V’ Witness replied that he said accused was the man. Accused then said, “ Ob, he can’t say that, for he only saw my side as I was passing.” He then asked what time the clothes were taken. Witness replied, “ About half-past six.” Accused rejoined, “ Oh, I can prove where I was then—take me to Quill’s Hotel.” Took him there. George Eagle, barman, was standing at the door, and accused asked him if he didn’t remember I serving him with a pint of beer at halfpast six that evening. Eagle replied that he did not remember having seen him before. Accused then said he had been at the Somerset Hotel all day. Witness thereupon remarked that he would have to lock accused up, and he said, “ Oh, I yes ; I know you would like to lock me up.” Saw accused before at about halfpast five o’clock that night. He was then standing near Quill’s. He asked witness to shout for him as he had not got a cent. He was a carpenter by trade, and had only very recently come to Ashburton. Accused said witness could not “ put him away,” as nothing was found on him. “ Put away ” was a slang expression used by thieves. Accused was well versed in such slang.—Alexander Henderson, employed by Mr Scott, carrier, proved finding the stolen goods in a shed attached to I his employer’s stables, about a quarter I past eight on Saturday night. There was a right-of-way between the stables ana IMr Everett’s place.—Frank Everett, draper, deposed to recognising the drawers as the property of his firm. They were outside the shop on Saturday night, but disappeared. J. D. Edwards, draper, in the employ of Everett Bros., deposed that he missed tho drawers on Saturday night from outside the shop, and saw a man running up the right-of-way by Scott’s. The man resembled the accused. —Accused, addressing the Bench, said he I was entirely innocent of the charge. He I knew nothing about the robbery. He was I a stranger in Ashburton, and did not I even know where Everett’s was before the constable took him there.—Sergeant I Felton pointed out to the Bench that the I accused had already admitted passing the I shop, of the locality of which he stated he I had been ignorant up to the time he was I taken to it.—The Bench considered the i charge proved, and several previous con- I victions Being recorded against the accused, he was sentenced to two months’ j imprisonment. I

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